Thanjavur: Two persons – Rangarajan (32) and Kumar (30), of Saliyamangalam village in Papanasam Taluk, who were arrested in connection with the rape and murder of Kalaiselvi, a Dalit girl, last month, have now been detained under the Goondas Act, on the orders of District Collector A. Annadurai.

20-year-old Kalaiselvi, who was living with her maternal aunt Pappammal in Saliyamangalam village, was found murdered in the forest area in the village on August 1. There were signs of sexual assault on her body. Subsequently, police registered a case, conducted an inquiry, and arrested Rangarajan (32) and Kumar (30) of the same area in this connection. They were produced in the Judicial Magistrate court, and remanded to judicial custody. They were lodged at the Central Prison in Trichy.

Based on the recommendations made by SP J. Mahesh, and the documents produced by DSP P. Selvam of Papanasam Subdivision, District Collector A. Annadurai ordered the detention of Rangarajan and Kumar under the Goondas Act.